Google makes second settlement offer with EU

The Internet search giant, which the EU is currently investigating for promoting its search services and stifling competition, has made a second attempt to settle the allegations against it, Bloomberg reports.

“We received new proposals from Google in the previous week,” EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told Bloomberg. “If we are satisfied with the new proposals, we can advance toward an agreed solution in the coming months.”

The EU is accusing Google of promoting its own specialist search services—including Google News and Google Finance—and copying rivals’ travel and restaurant reviews. It also claims the company has agreements with websites that stifle competition in the advertising industry.

Google made its first attempt to settle with the EU in July, offering to label its branded search services and show links to rival specialized search services. But officials balked at the request, claiming it wasn’t a serious offer.

“Our proposal to the European Commission addresses their four areas of concern,” Al Verney, a Brussels-based spokesman for Google, told Bloomberg. “We continue to work with the commission to settle this case.”